KNOXVILLE (WATE) – The Knox County Health Department announced that a lab report confirmed the presence of West Nile Virus in Powell.

The Culex mosquitoes with the virus were found near West Emory Road. The county will spray in the area on Thursday between 9 p.m. and midnight to help reduce the mosquito population. There will be another spraying the area on October 20. There will be signs in neighborhoods where infected mosquitoes were detected.

Residents are asked to stay inside, and to keep pets inside or in the backyard during spraying.

Knox County has suggestions for residents to prevent mosquito bites:

Apply repellents to skin often; these can include lotions, liquids or sprays. The CDC recommends the use of repellents that contain DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane 3, 8-diol, and IR3535. The duration of protection varies by repellent; read labels on products to determine when reapplications are necessary for optimal protection.

Dispose of, regularly empty, or turn over any water holding containers on your property such as tires, cans, flower pots, children’s toys or trash cans.

To prevent breeding in large water-holding devices, including bird baths or garden pools, use larvicides such as mosquito torpedoes or mosquito dunks. If used properly, larvicides will not harm animals.

Summit Avenue; Turner Street; Mundy Street; Nichols Avenue; North Harrison Street; Washington Avenue east of Cherry Street; Jefferson Avenue east of Cherry Street; Woodbine Avenue east of Cherry Street; East Fifth Avenue east of Cherry Street; Milligan Street north of East Magnolia Avenue; North Hembree Street north of East Magnolia Avenue; North Elmwood Street; North Castle Street north of Cherry Street; North Mary Street north of Magnolia Avenue; North Beaman Street north of Magnolia Avenue; Manor Drive; Crawford Avenue; Lakeside Street north of East Magnolia Avenue; Hampton Avenue; Kirkwood Street north of East Magnolia Avenue; American Avenue; and Knoxville Zoo Drive will be treated Tuesday, Oct. 18, between 9 p.m. and midnight, weather permitting. This is a follow-up treatment.